HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 20, 2021 Public CommentCity Manager Schwabauer provided information regarding the bicycle detection devices which are
attached to the City's traffic signals for the benefit of the new Council Members.
Council Member Kuehne made a motion, second by Mayor Nakanishi, to accept improvements
under the contract for Citywide Bicycle Facilities Detection Improvement Project.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Hothi, Council Member Khan, Council Member Kuehne, Mayor Pro
Tempore Chandler, and Mayor Nakanishi
Noes: None
Absent: None
ROLL CALL VOTE
The City Council held a ROLL CALL vote (all voiced their votes).
C-8 AGce t Monthly Protocol Account Report Through December 31 2020 CLK
Accepted Monthly Protocol Account Report through December 31, 2020.
C-9 Post for Vacancy on Lodi Arts Commission(CLK)
Directed the City Clerk to post for the following vacancy:
Lodi Arts Commission
Georgia Owens Term to expire July 1, 2021
C-10 Adopt Resolution Approving City of Lodi Pay Schedule Dated January 11 2021 HR
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-19 approving City of Lodi Pay Schedule dated January 11, 2021
C-11 Adopt Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Waive Bid Process, Utilize Houston -
Galveston Area Council Contract No. HGAC FS 12-19 Award Purchase Order to Golden
State Fire Apparatus, Inc., of Sacramento, for Purchase of Pierce Enforcer Engine, and
Appropriate Funds ($670,000) (FD)
Adopted Resolution No. 2021-20 authorizing the City Manager to waive the bid process, utilize
Houston -Galveston Area Council Contract No. HGAC FS 12-19, award a purchase order to
Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc., of Sacramento, for purchase of Pierce Enforcer Engine, and
appropriate funds in the amount of $670,000.
D. Comments by the Public on Non -Agenda Items THE TIME ALLOWED PER NON -
AGENDA ITEM FOR COMMENTS MADE BY THE PUBLIC IS LIMITED TO FIVE
MINUTFS
David Claxton, President, Downtown Business Alliance, read a prepared comment regarding the
current condition of the downtown business corridor and the impact of the homeless on downtown
businesses. Mr. Claxton's prepared comment will be included with the approved minutes of the
meeting.
E. Comments by the City Council Members on Non -Agenda Items
Downtown Business Alliance -Lodi
1/20/21
RE: Public Comment for Agenda Number C-17
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members:
I am David Claxton the President of the Downtown Business Alliance.
The Lodi Downtown Business Alliance is made up of some 100 businesses located within Lodi's historic
downtown corridor. We represent restaurants, retail establishments, wineries, bars, banking
institutions, offices and personal service businesses.
Our mission is to support the success of all of our businesses thru our nonpolitical business community
activism. We have been involved in various School Street enhancement projects; we are responsible for
coordinating and funding various holiday activities and recently worked directly with the City on getting
the word out on City efforts to assist small businesses during the pandemic. Our social media platforms
provide extensive advertising and exposure opportunities for our members and allow us the ability to
provide our members with up-to-date information on important downtown issues.
I am here this evening on behalf of our membership to express directly to the Council and City Staff, our
growing concern and frustration regarding the escalating homeless and transient takeover of our
downtown corridor and the City's inability to enforce even the basic of protections of private property
rights, privacy and physical safety.
With so many of our businesses closed or operating on limited hours due to COVID, it appears as if
enforcement has taken a back seat and the downtown has been taken over.
Our members are in fear for their safety and that of their employees and customers. On a daily basis
they are faced with people setting up camp on their business doorsteps, people publicly urinating and
defecating in public view; starting small fires; leaving large amounts of debris and trash left behind for
business owners to clean up. Many of the people in question are aggressive, are high on drugs or
alcohol, or have mental issues. They harass business owners and potential customers alike.
Customers are complaining to our business owners and their employees. Many are expressing their
personal displeasure at the conditions downtown and wonder why other small shopping communities
like St. Helena, Calistoga, Sutter Creek, Murphy's, Livermore and others thru-out California are able to
insulate their shopping areas from the homeless/transient population, but Lodi cannot.
Right now our businesses need the City's full support to attract and retain every visitor and every
customer we can. We are asking that the City prioritize patrolling and enforcement in our downtown
corridor including more funding for increased patrols throughout the day and night; faster response
times to calls for support from merchants and meaningful enforcement to deter repeat offenders.
Funding small business grants and assisting restaurants with large scale outdoor dining venues will not
help if no one wants to come and shop for fear of having to deal with the ramifications of the
homeless/transient problems that are rampant downtown.
Thank you.
David Claxton, President DBA